Bottle carrier



Y Dec- 2, 1947- R. G. STIGLER BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 3, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [8 :gljVVENTOR. BY I j 723 J ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1947. I

R. G. STIGLE R BOTTLE CARRIER Filed July 3, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

EM 4&1 $113M ATTORME YS Patented Dec. 2, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Robert G. .Stigler, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Standard Molding Corporation DaytoiL Ohio a oorporation ofOhio Application July .3,- 1945,:SerialNu. 602,971

17 Claims. (01,224, 45)

.Thisinvention relates to bottle carriers.

.It is the-principalobject of the inventionto provide a bottle carrier which is simple and inexpensive in CnStILlCtlQI1,. 1jgnt in weight and yet adequately strong, ;.and' which may be ,used e -an Over a n. an whi h mavb e ily Washed e fleanse an zk e in a lszma sanitary condition.

Another object is to provide'suoh a carrier wnsfruction oth r wh eh nb e dilvmolded and easily assembled, or repaired.

It a f r he -swee t p ovide such a carr e w ic s l tivel re e v bottles-1 havin n: intermediate censtrictionl tvhile. re-j eating straightsidedabottles.

It is also-an objectv to-provideacarrier having a apsi l handl m vable fromaraised ca ryins-p sitiemwhe th l rip i envenientlv ccessibleabove the topsof the bottles toalowered po t e whe theme -1 isbelew the tops of th ba l s the e y faci ita i the. stack o the; carriers uponeach other.

I t isa still iurth'ersobiect to. provide altwo piece gcarrzier having .a. .basestructure on which the bettlessare received anda h ndle having integral legs whichare directly assembled by snapping into; place on the ,basestructure and from which the, handle, maybe, readily. removed, to permit of readyassembly of. knock down parts o ea y eplacement of dama ed parts.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the. accompanying drawingsand, themappended claims.

In the drawings, vwhich-disclose, .a. preferred embodiment. .of. therinvention, and in which. like characters .of reference designate like parts throughout.;.-

Fig.1 1. is .a view. in side elevation .ofa carrier which isconstruoted inaccordance with the present invention shoWing-onebottle in position and-- thehandle in; both its raised. and. lowered Positions;

-Fig.-z2 is a plan viewof the empty carrier;

Fig. :3. isa horizontal. sectionalview .on the line, 3+3. of Fig. 1. showing a number-of the bottles the assembled. position-in. the carrier;

Fig.4 is-a verticalsectionalview on. the line 4&4; of; Fig. l throughone of. the uprights; and

Fig. 5' is a'view. partially in sectionandpartially in elevation showing asi-mplesand effective tool utilized for releasing. the. handle locking members.

"Referringtothe drawings which disclose .a preferred. embodiment of the: invention. the carriercomprisesja .base [-0. As. shownthebase: is

P Q iQQ-d- Wil 3" 5. 31% P mean Q rm r-e ftiolgsll -i or the purpose of saving weight material whi-le -maintaining adequate strength and to allow dirt-and waste to-fal1 through the form illustrated being .constructedto carry up to six bottles. As stated the carrier is so formed andof. such material that it is desirably light and yet strong. fl hese characteristics. are attained inthe form-herein illustratedby forming-the carrier of i a; molded mater ial which is. light in weight and yetmay be made adequately strong, the term shGWnbei-ng satisfactory in this regard and; .a atisfactory material; for this 1 purposebeing-a plastic, suchasa cellulose acetate material. All parts oi the-carrier areadapted for convenient formation from such; materials and by convenient molding operations and. relatively inexpensive dies.

qThe; base til hasside walls l2 which definea plurality of recesses l3 each of which is 06 proper size and shape to receive the bottom of abottle. As will be apparentfromaFig. 3, the side wall 12 of each recess iscontinuous, and while relatively shallow (see .Fig. 1) nevertheless prevents lateral movement of each bottle relative toits recess except .by a movement substantially longitudinalof the bottle.

u'I-Z e e es a n t necessar y f req se the same. cross section; as that of the bottle but may be. provided with portions suc has M which have fiat sides, for ease and convenience in molding. The shape of the recesses however is suchas to receive and relatively closely, confine the bottom of thebottle so that when-in assembled rial, such as the .moldable plastic naterialabove referred to. may be formed in separate partsas' desired and fix dly; connected thereto. by means" of an adhesive having avolatile solvent which will also soften the molded material andqbin'd parts, such as the base and uprights, together with adequate strength. This molding in a plurality of smaller parts of uncomplicated form lowersthe cost of preparing the parts andyet whenbonded togetherit gives an adequately strong structure.

This .also permits. .of shipping.

the opening 2| are of less diameter than'the lower part and the opening 22, thus providing an internal shoulder 24 at an intermediate position. Also the uprights 20 are of substantially less height than the bottles.

A retaining means for the bottles is provided adjacent the upper ends of the uprights, such retaining means also being preferably formed separately and adhered to the uprights in the manner stated. When thus adhered the base, uprights and retaining means act as a unitary section and may be so formed, although by molding them separately and then adhering them, it has been found that economy in manufacturing is effected.

As shown this retaining means comprises a plate 30 which is supported on the uprights 20 and which is shaped to provide a series of ring-shaped openings 3| of suitable size to allow the bottles to be received therethrough. Openings 3| are arranged in a pattern corresponding to that of the recess l3, being substantially coaxial therewith and spaced above the latter, as shown .in Fig. l. The plate 38 also forms a convenient means for supporting a sign member 32 on which suitable advertising or other identifying data may be placed. The openings 3| are shown in Fig. 2 as circular, to receive a bottle which is circular in cross section at this position and are shaped to provide forclosely receiving and confining the bottle when in assembled position.

Interference members 35 are provided at an intermediate location above the recesses l3 and below retaining means 30. The interference members as shown comprise rings which may be conveniently molded separately and adhered to uprights 20 as described. The rings overlie and project laterally beyond the side walls of the recesses' in the base and retaining member. The interference members thus project into the normal path of movement of the bottles as introduced into and removed from the carrier, and are so positioned vertically that the are located sub stantially opposite a constriction of the body of the bottle when the latter is in its finally assembled position. As shown in Fig. 1, the constriction 36 of the bottle 31 is located opposite interference member 35, such member extending laterally into close interfitting relation with the constriction in each assembled position.

Fig. 3 shows a satisfactory construction of the interference members, as shaped as solid disks. Each such disk thus overlies and performs its intended function with respect to the four recesses adjacent each upright. Thus the provision of two such members adequately provides the desired function for all siX recesses, this effective relationship of a single such member to a group of bottles being clearly shown in Fig. 3.

A handle is provided to facilitate manual carrying, such handles are preferably formed as a single member, and may be readily molded of plastic material. The handle comprises a grip 4 portion til which is relatively thin, when in place extends lengthwise of the carrier, and is preferably provided with a reinforcing flange as shown at 4| on its lower side, to give considerably greater strength with less weight. The flange has an upward curvature of its ends, to facilitate handling. The handle is also formed with downwardly curving parts 42, the lower ends of which are shaped as cylindrical leg portions 63, parallel to and spaced from each other the proper distance to be received within the upper openings 2| of the respective uprights 2% At their lower ends, each leg portion is provided with slits 45 providing deformable tongues G6 which may be sprung against the natural resiliency of the material sufiiciently to allow the flexing thereof toward each other sufficientl to enter them into the upper smaller part of its passage through the opening 2|. Satisfactory results have been secured using four such slits and tongues, as shown. These parts may be effectively molded by forming the lower ends of the handle hollow and with projecting angularly spaced flexible projections. Locking means in the form of an enlargement providing locking flanges 41 are formed at the lower ends of members 46, the outer periphery of said members below the enlargement 31 being beveled as shown at .48 to form an effective cam surface for flexing the tongues 46 as they are pushed into the upper openings 2|.

Each enlargement 41 is normally of greater diameter than an opening 2|, but the leg portions are receivable through opening 2| upon application of manual pressure to cause the deforming oi the tongues 46 inwardly toward each other, this action occurring initially under the camming effect of surfaces 48 being forcibly introduced into the upper end of opening 2|. The leg portions then may readily be pushed through the upper part of the passage, and as soon as the enlargements 41 pass below shoulder 25, they snap outward into the lower larger passage where they are free to expand, thus establishing a normal locking relation of the handle, providing for free. up and down movement of the handle throughout the extent of the lower part of the passage, but normally preventing further movement or withdrawal of the handle after it is moved upward to the position determined by the shoulder 24.

Suitable means is provided for flexing the tongues inwardly when it is desired to disassemble the handle from the base unit. As shown, a separate tool 58 is provided which may be used to unlock and release the leg portions from the uprights when desired, this tool having an annular wall 5| at one end defining a recess 52. It is receivable into the lower passage portion through the lower opening 22 of each upright and movable into engagement with the cam surfaces 48. When pressed upwardly with the annular wall 52 in contact with the cam surfaces 48, a deforming pressure is developed which flexes the tongues 46 toward each other, sufficientl to release the locking enlargement l! from shoulder 24, thereby allowing the handle to be readily withdrawn. Broken or damaged handles may thus be easily replaced, or good handles salvaged from damaged bottom units.

In the use of the carrier, bottles having an intermediate constriction in their body, such as the bottles shown at 3'! may be assembled through the openings 3|. This requires a movement during assembly primarily in the lengthwise direc-.

renewals I 5 'ionabf the bottle. -'As thebottomof the" bottle asses downwa'r dly;-it tends to strike interference inernber #35, but by slightly swinging or tip-ping the bottle the bottom of the bottle may be ilaterally displaced during such assembly sufficientlyto clear {such interference member. 7 For its final assembled position, 1 the bottom of: the bottle is swung-or tilted -ha'ck slightly to be received A in -substantially siclosely confined :by the i side i nteriittin with theconstriction 35 .of the-:botsuch manner; as to in efieotihold' or lock the -btt1e'in its assembled position against acciz'dentalzdisplacementand afiordingadditional sup- -'::p:ortrzor .the same in addition .to that developed;

"ioyst-he side vva-llofxthe reeess'and-the retaining means 30.

If it is attempted to insert bottles having 1- straight. sides, or without the intermediat 1'5131'10ti01'1, and of diameter corresponding to the;.-.-

diameters-of the recesses i3 and aligned opening in the retainingmeans {5,8,- it will be evident then v that this cannot be done. In the absenceof such constri ction ,.-a straight-sided bottle of such size 1 .cannotbeseatedinthe recess fi3 because of the;

g-presence of the interference member. The form Qf-CELIlIlGf-SIQOWXJ. is thus selective with respect to b ot tles having an intermediateconstriction, rejecti ng straightes ided bottles.

When the component parts of the base unit are;

adhered. the carrier comprises only the two pieces, v-the moldedbase. unit, and the separately molded lfia,n'dle member. "Initial asse-mbly'o-f the two pieces. requires onlythe pressing ofthe legs of .Ith'e handle. downwardly through the openings '2 l:;.

in'tl'ir upright the handle being moved. down- {wardly untilthe locking means 4? snaps into looking engagement below s oulders "I' l. T e handle they then be" further collapsed to the dotted line position shownintFigs. 1 and 4,imoving'fres1y;

to this 1 position undertheactionof gravity or \under slight forceif the parts are in sliding. fit. I n.'this position the top of the handle is below thev tops of the bottles. This'is desirable as fa- .scilitating the stackingof the loaded carriers upon- "each other, without interference fromthe'handle member, this being true whether" the carrier'is loaded with full bottles" or empty 'bot'iles being "returned. *When .however the carrier is to be ipijcked'ppthe'handle readily lifts, the'limited ibutireelupward movement'thereof being perjm-ittejd' to permit easy carriage. When the han- "dl'elhasj been lifted toapproximately the full line ipo's ition as shown'in'Figs. 1 and 4 locking members Q'lenga'ge shoulders 24, thus preventingiur-s ther sliding movement, and picking up the load ,offthebaseand the bottlesiassembled thereon. This provides ad-ei'lnite clearance'above thetops 'ofthe bottles so that the latter do not interfere with complete freedom o f'carrying-on the part of the operator,

Iheinvention therefore provides a simple and highly; satisfactory construction of bottle carrier vvhich may be-made easily and inexpensively "molded or die cast from suitablematerial,and when ready for' use is-preierablyin'only-two separable parts which are readily assembled and "disassembled. "The carrier as shown-is selective with respect to bottles having an intermediate constriction,'and rejects straight-sided Qr other "shaped bottles, but permits of readily assembling such constricted bottles, of holding them in place {and of readily removing them. The carrier is neat and attractive in" appearance, is readily adaptable to stacking without -interferen'cei from'-' Bil-1J2 offrecess l3, the'interference membertBh 5'6 lithe handler-and in carryin kpositionithe :h'a-ndle Q is arranged to be completely free of-interference irom'thebottles. Also itmaybe moldedof vari- 4 busly:coloredfmaterials thus: permitting the use 5 -of 4 desired attractive colors :or combinations of vcolors.

I The -oar-rier':- isu'read i-ly adapted to cleaning -so that upon return with therempty bottles, it may washed ori otherwise' cleansed such. as :by the 4156 of stei ilizingrlight rays so that it is thenin :aclean and sanitary condition 1 available" for reuse.

While the-term ni apparatus herein described c constitutes a preferred embodiment of the: in- --vention, it is to :be' understood that the invention is not limited: to thissprecise form of: apparatus,

in and that. :111g ,1 ge rmay. rbeemadetherein WithOui departingf from the :scope of the invention which rt i's'defi-ne din the-appended claims.

LWhat is claimed is:

1. I A bottle-carrierforselectively receiving bot- 'tles having an 5 intermediate constriction in the body thereof comprising a base having a side wall defining arecess-adapted to: receive and closely =-confin e the bottom of I the 1 bottle, meanson 1 said =-carrier requiring-a bottle to beinser-tedin said recess with a movement primarily in: the lengthwise direction. of the bottla and aninterference mernber spaced from and projecting in' overhanggo' ing relation withrespect to said recess and. adapted to be receivedin i-nterfitting relation with the constriction" ofsaid bottle -=when in assembled position --upon said carrier.

2. -A bottle carrier for selectively receiving hotties having an intermediateconstriction in the body thereof comprising zasbase having 19, conti'nuousside -wall Idefin-ing-Ja :laterallyenclosed recess ofrelatively shallow depth. for receiving and closely confinin'g the bottom of the :bottle in asgor-sembledfl-position .sthereon," meanson said car- -rierirequiringthe'bottle toi' be. assembled in said recesswitn :imovement. primarily in the lengthwice: direction of. the; bottle, and an interference 1 member :space'd iabove an'd projecting partially i 5over,:sai'd' recessii'for preventing assembly of a straight sidedbottlejinsaid recessand adapted to -interfitzwith said intermediate constriction when such bottle is assembled therein.

3. T A bottle carrier-forselectively receiving bottles:having anlintermediate constriction in the :bodythereoii: comprising a base. portion havinga side wall defining a recess 'for receiving and closely. confining: the bottom ofxthe. bottle in assembled-position: thereon, :a closed ring supported 'a,bOVe and in spaced relationwith said base and having an opening therethrough of, substantially zthe' size e f-said recess through'which the bottle is receivedirin :assembly, said ring limiting said bottle-to movement; primarily in the lengthwise directionl thereof when: being inserted in said recesses, and: an :interferen'cermember between said ring and said' basepreventing theseating in said "recess of astr'aightesided' bottle and adapted to :interfit in --lock-ing relation with a; bottle having G5 said intermediate"constriction.

4. A bottle carrier for selectively receiving botties havinganinterrnediate constriction in the body thereof comprising'a base portion havinga side -wa-ll--'defining a recess for receiving and "closelyconfining the bottom. of the bottle in asser'nbled position thereon; anupright member securedto said-base, a closed ring supported'by said upright member above :and in spaced relation Wlth sai'd base-and having: an opening there- 'throu'gh of substantially the 5 size .of said recess through whichthe bottle is received in assembly, and an interference member between said ring and said base requiring the lateral displacement of the bottom of the bottle during assembly, said interference member extending into the vertical projection of said opening and said recess and being receivable in interfitting relation with the constriction of the assembled bottle.

5. A bottle carrier for selectively receiving bottles having an intermediate constriction in the body thereof comprising a base having side walls defining a plurality of spaced recesses for receiving and closely confining the bottoms of a corresponding number of bottles, a plurality of ringshaped members having bottle receiving openings therein each arranged in coaxial relation with one of said recesses, means supporting said ring shaped members above and in spaced relation with said base, and interference members carried by said supporting means and located at an intermediate position between said recess and said ring members and having portions projecting into the direct path of movement of said bottles as assembled and requiring lateral displacement of the bottoms thereof during assembly, said interference portions being received within said constrictions.

6. A bottle carrier for selectively receiving bottles having an intermediate constriction in the body thereof comprising a base having side walls defining a plurality of spaced recesses for receiving and closely confining the bottoms of a corresponding number of bottles, a plurality of ring-shaped members having bottle receiving openings therein each arranged in coaxial relation with one of said recesses, an upright supporting member positioned adjacent each of a plurality of said recesses and supporting said ring-shaped members above and in spaced relation with said base, and an annular interference member carried by said upright member and located at an intermediate position between said recess and said ring members, said interference member projecting laterally beyond the walls of said plurality of recesses adjacent said upright member to prevent assembly therein of straightsided bottles while allowing assembly of said constricted bottles.

'7. A bottle carrier comprising a base member adapted to receive a plurality of bottles therein, uprights on said base of less height than said bottles, means supported on said uprights above and in spaced relation with said base and including ring members adapted to receive and retain said bottles in assembled position on said base, a handle having a grip and a plurality of leg portions attached thereto, said leg portions being constructed for sliding engagement with said uprights providing for the collapsing of said grip below the tops of said bottles to facilitate the stacking of said carriers upon each other, and means for locking said leg portions to said uprights following limited upward sliding movement thereof to provide for the raising of said grip above the tops of said bottles for convenient carrying.

8. A bottle carrier comprising a base member adapted to receive a plurality of bottles therein, hollow uprights on said base of less height than said bottles, a handle having a grip and leg portions attached thereto, said leg portions having sliding engagement within said hollow uprights providing for the lowering of said grip below the tops of said bottles to facilitate stacking of said carriers upon each other, said leg portions and said uprights having interengaging parts providing for limited sliding movement of said legs to allow said grip to be raised above the tops of said bottles whil preventing complete withdrawal thereof.

9. A bottle carrier comprising a base member adapted to receive a plurality of bottles therein, hollow uprights on said base formed with an internal shoulder, a handle having a grip and leg portions formed integrally therewith, locking members formed integrally at the lower ends of said leg portions and deformable to provide for interfitting sliding engagement in said hollow uprights above said shoulder, said locking members expanding to a locking position beneath said shoulder to interlock said handle in operative relation with respect to said uprights.

10. A bottle carrier comprising a base member constructed to receive a plurality of bottles therein, uprights carried by said base member and of less height than said bottles, a handle having leg portions attached thereto, means carried by said uprights and spaced from said base member and having means for receiving said bottles when inserted by longitudinal movement therethrough into the base receiving member, and means for slidably connecting said handle to said bottle holding members and constructed to position the handle below or above the tops of the bottles.

11. A bottle carrier comprising a base member having a plurality of bottle receiving recesses therein, a plurality of uprights on said base of less height than the bottles, a handle having a grip and a plurality of leg portions attached thereto, said leg portions having sliding engagement with said uprights providing for the collapsing of said grip below the tops of said bottles to facilitate the stacking of said carriers upon each other, means for locking said leg portions to said uprights following limited upward sliding movement thereof to provide clearance of said grip above above the tops of said bottles for carrying, and means for releasing said looking means to allow complete withdrawal of said grip from said uprights.

12. A bottle carrier having a base for receiving a plurality of bottles, tubular uprights on said base, a handle having a grip and leg portions formed integrally therewith and slidably received within said uprights, said leg portions being split and having integral deformable locking members thereon, shoulders on said tubular uprights in position to engage said locking members upon limited withdrawal of said handle providing for the lifting of said grip above said bottles during carrying, said locking means being deformable to clear said shoulders providing for complete withdrawal of said handle.

13. A bottle carrier having a base for receiving a plurality of bottles, tubular uprights on said base open at their lower ends, a handle having a grip and leg portions formed integrally therewith and slidably received within said uprights, the lower ends of said leg portions being split and having integral deformable locking members thereon, shoulders on said tubular uprights in position to engage said locking members upon limited withdrawal of said handle providing for the lifting thereof above said bottles during carrying, the lower ends of said locking members having cam surfaces thereon, and a tool receivable through the open end of said uprights for engaging said cam surfaces to deform said members to a clearance position allowing complete withdrawal of said handle.

14. A bottle carrier for selectively receiving bottles having an intermediate constriction comprising a base having a side wall forming recesses for receiving and closely confining the bottoms of the bottles, a pair of tubular uprights upon said base, a bottle retaining member upon said uprights and having ring-shaped bottle receiving openings above and in corresponding relation with said recesses, interference members supported upon said uprights at an intermediate position between said retaining member and said base and preventing insertion of a straight-sided bottle in said recess while allowing insertion of said constricted bottle, a handle having a grip and leg portions slidably received in said tubular uprights providing for the collapsing of said handle below the tops of the bottles when said carriers are stacked, the lower ends of said legs having lockin members thereon, and internal shoulders on said uprights for engagement with said locking members after limited withdrawing movement of said legs providing for the lifting of said handle to a clearance position above the tops of said bottles for carrying.

15. A two-piece bottle carrier for selectively receiving bottles having an intermediate constriction comprising a base having a side Wall forming recesses for receiving and closely confining the bottoms of the bottles, a pair of tubular uprights affixed upon said base, bottle retaining members affixed upon said uprights and having ring-shaped bottle receiving openings above and in corresponding relation with said recesses, interference members affixed to said uprights at an intermediate position between said retaining member and said base and preventing insertion of a straight-sided bottle in said recess while allowing insertion of said constricted bottle, a handle having a grip and integral leg portions slidably received in said tubular uprights providing for the collapsing of said handle below the tops of the bottles when said carriers are stacked, the lower ends of said legs having integral locking members thereon, and internal shoulders on said uprights for engagement with said locking members after limited withdrawing movement of said legs providing for the lifting of said handle to a clearance position above the tops of said bottle for carrying.

16. A bottle carrier for selectively receiving bottles having an intermediate constriction in the body thereof comprising a base having side walls defining a plurality of spaced recesses for receiving and closely confining the bottoms or a corresponding number of bottles, means providing a plurality of ring-shaped retaining members each arranged in coaxial relation with one of said recesses and each being of a diameter sufiicient to permit the passage of one of said bottles therethrough, means supporting said retaining members in spaced relation with said base providing for insertion of said bottles by movement primarily in the lengthwise direction of the bottle and substantially preventing sidewise movement of said bottles in said carrier, and interference members located at an intermediate position between said recesses and said retaining members and having portions projecting partially into the direct path of movement of said bottles as assembled, said spaced relation of said retaining members and said base providing for adequate lateral displacement of the bottoms of said bottles to clear said interference members upon insertion, said interference members being adapted to interfit within said constrictions in said bottles and preventing the insertion in said carrer of straight sided bottles of substantially the same maximum diameter.

1'7. A bottle carrier having a base for receiving a plurality of bottles, tubular uprights on said base open at their lower ends, a handle including a grip and having leg portions slidably received within said uprights, the lower ends of said leg portions being split and having deformable locking members thereon, shoulders on said tubular uprights positioned to engage said locking members upon limited withdrawal of said handle and providing for the lifting thereof above said bottles during carrying, the lower ends of said locking members having thereon cam surfaces having their faces inclined toward the axis of said lower leg ends for engagement within the annular end portion of'a tool receivable through said open lower end of said uprights to deform said members to a clearance position allowing complete Withdrawal of said handle.

ROBERT G. STIGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 253,630 Tittmeyer Feb. 14, 1882 716,644 Perthold Dec. 23, 1902 774,552 Bennett Nov. 8, 1904 1,705,061 Jones Mar. 12, 1929 1,781,357 Wolcott Nov. 11, 1930 2,051,091 Ladewig et al Aug. 18, 1936 2,335,859 Hutchings Dec. 7, 1943 2,378,026 Morgan June 12, 1945 

